Primary pupils in Kent have been creating their own animations as part of a scheme that will allow them to share the results via online television.

Kent TV, an online station funded by the county council and run by Bob Geldof’s production house Ten Alps, is showing the films and holding a schools competition.

The scheme aims to introduce children to different types of animation, from flick books to plasticine models.

Rob Garratt, a Year 6 teacher at Hampton primary, Herne Bay, has carried out two animation sessions with his class, helped by Dan Richards, an animator from Canterbury Christ Church University.

Mr Garratt said: “We created a slug club. The children chose the colour of their slug, gave it a name, made it do funny things; they became quite expert.

“We had slugs on a mini skateboard, slugs eating people, slugs climbing up ladders.”

The work is linked to the literacy curriculum because the children have to write a playscript, as well as to art and ICT. The ultimate aim is to enter the Kent TV animation competition with their work.

Pupils could watch the series online at Kent TV and upload their own animation for viewing, Mr Garratt said. hw.

www.kenttv.com.